The Federal Government has intensified efforts toward the establishment of an indigenous airline for Edo State following strategic talks between the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in Abuja.
Governor Okpebholo, who led a delegation of senior state officials, said the meeting was focused on fast-tracking the activation of a state-supported airline that would operate from the Benin Airport. He described aviation as a critical driver of economic revitalization, with the capacity to boost investment, enhance mobility, and generate employment across the state.
According to the Governor, the Edo State Government has already begun engaging potential partners to ensure a timely rollout of the airline. He revealed that discussions are ongoing with foreign investors, including prospective partners from South Africa, who have expressed readiness to support operations through aircraft supply and technical expertise.
He emphasized that Edo State must urgently harness the economic advantages of air transportation, noting that a functional indigenous airline would improve connectivity, promote trade and tourism, and reposition Benin City as a key aviation hub in Nigeria.
In his response, Minister Keyamo praised the Edo State Government’s initiative, describing it as a bold and visionary move. He disclosed that the Federal Ministry is currently seeing renewed investor interest in Benin Airport due to its strategic location and untapped commercial prospects.
Reflecting on the airport’s historical significance, the Minister recalled its prominence during the era of the defunct Okada Air, when it served as a major aviation hub for the former Midwest region. He expressed optimism that the airport could reclaim its relevance within Nigeria’s domestic aviation landscape.
To ensure steady progress, Keyamo announced the establishment of a technical committee to manage the regulatory, planning, and operational framework of the proposed airline. He directed the Edo State Government to nominate a representative to collaborate closely with the Ministry’s Director of Air Transport Management.
The committee is expected to submit weekly progress reports to both the Federal Ministry and the Edo State Government to maintain accountability and momentum. The Minister added that, with sustained collaboration, Benin Airport could achieve full operational readiness within the first half of the year.
The engagement reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening regional air connectivity and supporting state-driven aviation initiatives, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic growth through infrastructure development, private sector participation, and strategic partnerships.
